Lehigh Keeps Postseason Hopes Alive with Win at Bucknell

Saturday, October 29

Lewisburg, Pa.

2 p.m.

Lehigh University

7-9-1, 3-5-0PL

Bucknell

6-10-2, 3-4-1PL

Team	1	2	Final F
Lehigh	1	1	2
Bucknell	1	0	1

Lehigh Keeps Postseason Hopes Alive with Win at Bucknell

10/29/2016 5:34:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

LEWISBURG, Pa. – In a must-win situation to keep Patriot League postseason hopes alive, the Lehigh men's soccer team rose to the occasion with a 2-1 victory on the road at Bucknell on Saturday. Mark Forrest tallied both goals on the day for the Mountain Hawks, including the game-winning goal in the 84th minute.

Lehigh is now 7-9-1 overall this season and 3-5-0 in the Patriot League. Bucknell is 6-10-2 overall on the season and 3-4-1 in the conference. The Mountain Hawks currently sit in seventh place in the PL standings right behind Bucknell who holds the sixth and final playoff spot with 10 points.

Like in other road conference games this season, the Mountain Hawks fell behind early as they allowed a Bucknell goal in the ninth minute. Lehigh showed great perseverance by completing the comeback that has eluded the Mountain Hawks in previous games this season.

"I liked the way we responded after going down early on the road against an opponent that is fighting to hold on to a playoff spot," said head coach Dean Koski. "We did a very nice of job of creating opportunities today and also played well defensively by limiting their corner opportunities. This was a great win and gives us something to play for next week."

The Mountain Hawks put together an outstanding defensive effort as they held the Bison to just two shots on goal out of 11 total chances and allowed just three corners. Lehigh put seven of its 18 total shots on target and produced six corner attempts.

Bucknell dictated the pace in the early stages, putting a shot on goal in the first minute of play, followed by a shot wide of the net in the fourth minute. The Bison's pressure paid off in the ninth minute as Sebastiaan Blickman finished form the left side of box to the far side netting.

Following the Bucknell goal, Lehigh went on the offensive. LU put up a 5-0 shot advantage in a span of 10 minutes with three of those shots landing on target.

The Mountain Hawks received the break they were looking for as they were granted a penalty in the 20th minute, which Forrest converted for the game's equalizer.
Lehigh had chances to tack on another with two corners and two shots in the minutes to follow Forrest's tying goal.

Leading up to Forrest's 84th minute game-winner, Lehigh had totaled six shots in the second half, which indicated it was just a matter of time before LU found pay dirt. The break finally came as Lehigh was awarded a corner which began with Matt Morana sending in the service and ending with Forrest finishing from inside the 6-yard line for the deciding goal.

Forrest extends his team-leading goal total seven on the season and is tied for the team lead with two game-winning goals. Morana's assist now puts him in a tie for the team lead with four helpers on the season.

The win today sets up another must-win situation next Saturday with the Patriot League's top team, American. A win, combined with a Bucknell tie or loss would move Lehigh ahead of the Bison into the sixth spot. Lehigh will also have to wait the outcomes of the contests involving Boston and Holy Cross as both teams are close behind the Mountain Hawks in the standings.

"We have a tall task ahead of us, but our priority and focus is getting three points against arguably the best team in the conference," said Koski. "The good news is that we are at home and we are in control of the outcome of our season."

Kickoff between for next Saturday's game against American at the Ulrich Sports Complex is slated for 7 p.m.